Method and device for rocking baby cribs, strollers and other objects on wheels

ABSTRACT

A motor with apparatus comprising a series of connected links to change the circular motion of the motor to a linear motion and from the linear motion to a continuous oscillation to and fro which motion is transferred to an arc shaped rocker cradle. A wheel of the stroller or other object sits in the rocker cradle and the stroller or other object is thereby rocked to and fro.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of rocking equipment and in particular a device that may be applied to baby strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects that rock the stroller, crib or other object, for example, to comfort a baby and assist it to fall asleep.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many patents have revealed a wide range of methods and devices to assist babies to fall asleep. Examples of such inventions are Australian Patent No. 2131483 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,792 issued to Chen both of which patents are bulky and less portable than the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,144 issued to McMahon attempts to provide an orbital movement rather than the simpler to and fro movement.

This innovation is another and unique device that combines novelty, versatility to fit a wide range of styles, kinds, and manufactures of baby strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments of the invention and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention but not to limit the invention to these descriptions only.

This invention comprises a motor with apparatus comprising a series of connected links to change the circular motion of the motor to a linear motion and from the linear motion to a continuous oscillation to and fro which motion is transferred to an arc shaped rocker cradle. A wheel of the stroller or other object sits in the rocker cradle of this invention and the stroller or other object is thereby rocked gently to and fro.

The power could be supplied from mains electricity or from batteries and a timer device could enable the rocking to switch off after a chosen amount of time. The rocking cradle is easily transferable and transportable and is made to fit virtually any size wheel used for strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects without special adaptor devices.

There could be a gear to make the rocking faster and slower while the motor rotates at a constant speed. There could be a physical stopper at both ends of the rocking cradle to prevent the stroller or crib wheel from exiting from the rocking cradle unintentionally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain by way of example only, the principles of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a wheel resting on a rocking cradle.

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of FIG. 1 from the end view.

FIG. 3 is a schematic depiction of the motor, the device for changing rotary motion to a rocking motion and a rocking cradle.

FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of FIG. 3 from a different angle.

FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of the rocking cradle.

FIG. 6 is a schematic depiction of FIG. 5 from the sectional view.

FIG. 7 is a schematic depiction of the motor and the device for changing rotary motion to rocking motion.

FIG. 8 is a schematic depiction of the motor stand and slit.

FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction of the disc drive.

FIG. 10 is a schematic depiction of the bearing in the disc drive.

FIG. 11 is a schematic depiction of the connector rod.

FIG. 12 is a schematic depiction of the sliding groove and rocking rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As will be appreciated the present invention is capable of other and different embodiments than those discussed above and described in more detail below, and its several details are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the embodiments set forth below are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

FIG. 1 shows the rocking machine 100 with the motor housing 102 containing a motor, motion transformer and batteries or mains electricity connection. There is a control switch 104 with positions for off, on-slow and on-fast. The rocking cradle 106 rocks to and fro making the stroller or crib wheel 108, sitting in the rocking cradle 106, roll back and forth.

FIG. 2 shows the rocking machine 100 from the end view showing the motor housing 102 and the rocking cradle 106. In the rocking cradle 106 is a stroller or a crib wheel 108 that is attached to the stroller or crib via the stroller or crib leg 110.

FIG. 3 shows the motor 120 with its axle 122 that turns when the motor is switched on. The motor 120 is held firmly in place with the aid of the motor stand 123 and slit 128 as described in more detail in relation to FIG. 8. The motor 120 is attached to the motor stand 123 by means of bolts 124. After the rotational motion of the motor has been converted to linear motion, the connector pin slides back and forth in the slit 128 thereby creating a back and forth arc motion in the rocking arm 130 resulting in a rocking motion in the rocking cradle 106.

FIG. 4 shows the motor 120 from another angle. The motor 120 turns the axle 122 that in turn, turns the disc drive 132. The disc drive 132 has an a-centric hole containing a bearing 134. When the disc drive 132 is turned, one side of the connector rod 136 moves a circular path together with the disc drive 132. The connecting rod 136 is connected at one end to the bearing 134. The bearing allows the one end of the connecting rod 136 to move in a circular motion as the disc drive 132 revolves.

At the distal end of the connecting rod 136 is a pin that slides in a slit in the motor stand and slit 123. The slit is not visible in FIG. 4 but can be seen in FIG. 8. The continuation of force transfer that results in the rocking movement of the rocking cradle 106 is described in later Figures.

FIG. 5 shows a rocking cradle 106 in which rests a leg or wheel FIG. 1 108 of a stroller, a crib or other item that is desired to be rocked. The nut FIG. 7 162 is connected into the rocking arm housing 140 and when the nut FIG. 7 162 turns to and fro, the rocking cradle 106 rocks in synchronization.

FIG. 6 shows the sectional view of the rocking cradle 106 and rocking arm housing 140 is on the inside of the rocking cradle 106 so that the outer surface 142 of the rocking cradle 106 that touches the floor is a smooth arc shape to enable a smooth rocking movement of the rocking cradle 106.

FIG. 7 shows the motor and attached apparatus in greater detail. There is a motor 120 with electrical terminals 119 and a motor encasement 121 that is held in place by being attached to the motor stand and slit 123. The disc drive 132 is turned by the revolutionary movement of the motor 120. The bearing 134 is situated a-centrically in the disc drive 132 causing the connecting rod 136 to move in a circular motion at the end attached to the bearing 134. The distal end of the connecting rod 136 is pulled and pushed in a linear movement back and forth in a slit FIG. 8 154 in the motor stand and slit 123. The resulting linear movement is converted to a rocking movement by the connecting rod 136 being connected at one end to a bearing 139 that slides in the groove 160 of the sliding groove 126. The sliding groove 126 has a rod 161 attached at one end of the sliding groove 126 that turns in a bearing 164 in the motor encasement 121. The distal end of the rod 161 is a nut 162 that fits into the rocking arm housing FIG. 5 140 thereby causing the rocking cradle 106 to rock to and fro.

FIG. 8 shows the motor stand and slit 123. The circular cut out 150 holds the distal end of the motor FIG. 3 120 which spins the axle FIG. 3 122 of the motor FIG. 3 120. The holes 152 are used to firmly attach the motor FIG. 3 120 to the motor stand and slit 123.

There is a slit 154 in which a connector pin slides up and down.

FIG. 9 shows the disc drive 132. The central axle housing 122 that is turned by the motor FIG. 3 120 and in turn, turns the disc drive 132. The disc drive 132 has in it an a-centric hole 133 into which is firmly fitted a bearing FIG. 4 and FIG. 10 134.

FIG. 10 shows the bearing 134 that is fixed into the hole FIG. 9 133 of the disc drive FIG. 4 132. This bearing 134 enables the pin that fits into the center of the bearing 134 to turn in the bearing 134 as the disc drive 132 turns.

FIG. 11 shows the connecting rod 136 that has a pin 137 at one end of the connecting rod 136 and a pin 138 at the distal end. The pins 137 and 138 are situate on opposite ends and opposite sides of the connecting rod 136. The connecting rod 136 enables the circular motion of the motor to convert to linear motion. This motion conversion occurs when pin 137 is attached to the bearing FIG. 4 134 and makes a circular motion as the disc drive FIG. 4 132 turns and the pin 138 is held in the slit FIG. 8 154. The pin 138 is thereby pulled and pushed up and down the slit FIG. 8 154 as the disc drive FIG. 4 132 revolves.

FIG. 12 shows a sliding groove and rocking rod 126 that converts the linear motion of pin FIG. 11 138 into a rocking motion in the sliding groove and rocking rod 126. The pin FIG. 11 138 is connected to a sliding bearing FIG. 4 139 that slides up and down the indented groove 160. The sliding groove and rocking rod 126 is attached by the rod 161 to a bearing in the motor encasement FIG. 7 121 to enable the rod 161 to turn on its axis in the said bearing. The result of the sliding bearing FIG. 4 139 being pulled and pushed in the groove 160 is a back and forth arc movement of the sliding groove and rocking rod 126. The rocking rod 161 is has at its distal end a nut 162 that attaches to the rocking arm housing FIG. 5 140 thereby causing the rocking cradle 106 to rock to and fro. 

1. A method and device for rocking baby strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects comprising, a. a power source to provide electric power to a motor, b. a motor that turns a disc drive, c. a bearing a-centrically positioned in the said disc drive, d. a connecting arm attached at one end to the said a-centric bearing and at the other end to a bearing in a groove via a static slit, e. a grooved arm housing the said bearing in the said groove pivotally moved back and forth making a rocking movement, f. a means to connect the said grooved arm to a rocking cradle into which can be placed the wheel of a child's carriage, stroller or other wheeled object, whereby the rotating movement of a motor is transposed into linear movement and the linear movement is transposed into a rocking movement to enable a motor to rock a child's crib, stroller or other wheeled object.
 2. A method and device for rocking baby strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a physical stopper in the said rocking cradle to prevent the said wheel from being rocked out of the said rocking cradle.
 3. A method and device for rocking baby strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said power source is mains electricity.
 4. A method and device for rocking baby strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said power source is at least one battery.
 5. A method and device for rocking baby strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects as claimed in claim 1 wherein the speed of the rocking of the said rocking cradle is determined by a gear mechanism.
 6. A method and device for rocking baby strollers, cribs and other wheeled objects as claimed in claim 5 wherein the said speed is varied with the aid of resistors in the electrical circuit.
 7. A method and device for creating a rocking movement comprising, a. a power source to power a motor that turns a disc, b. an acentric connection from the said disc to a pivoted groove via a static slit, thereby creating a rocking movement in the said pivoted groove as the said motor turns. 